Meet Dr. Tanya Semcesen
The PhD and The Parent
Bridging the gap between developmental science and the reality of raising kids.
The Journey: From Frustration to “Child First”
My journey into this space truly began on the sidelines. Like many parents, I found myself caught in the whirlwind of youth sports – navigating the early morning drives, the competitive pressure, and the subtle “autopilot” parenting that often takes over when we focus too much on the scoreboard.
I saw firsthand how easy it is for the “personhood” of the child to get lost in the “performance” of the youth athlete. That frustration sparked a realization: the developmental principles I had studied for years were the exact tools parents needed to navigate these high-pressure moments. This led me to write my book, Youth Sports, Child First. What began as a guide for youth sport parents quickly evolved into something much larger – a universal mission to help all parents prioritize their child’s long-term thriving over short-term wins.
Why SoccerMomPhD?
I’m often asked about the name. At first glance, “Soccer Mom” and “PhD” might feel like they belong in different worlds. But to me, they are the perfect team.
The “Soccer Mom” represents the archetype of the modern, active parent who is deeply invested in the daily rhythm of raising kids. It’s about navigating the logistics of school schedules and carpools while showing up for all the “games” of life, whether they are played at home, on a field, in a classroom, or at a piano recital. It’s the messy, beautiful reality of raising children.
The “PhD” represents the grounding force. It’s the two decades of specialized study I bring to the table to ensure the advice you get here is evidence-based and effective.
SoccerMomPhD is about more than just a sideline; it’s about the intentional parent who wants to see the whole child. By bringing ‘expert coaching and discussion’ to the everyday challenges of raising a family, we can help our children build the internal tools they need for the game of life. Ultimately, it’s about raising kids who don’t just succeed, but who thrive from the inside out.
A Note for the Journey
My goal is to translate high-level developmental psychology into actionable, everyday advice for parents in every stage of the journey. Whether we are exploring a blog post or chatting in The Parent Lounge, I am committed to helping you move past the “performance” of parenting and into the heart of development.
My Credentials & Experience
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology: Over 20 years of experience studying and teaching child and adolescent development.
Author of Youth Sports, Child First: Translating complex psychology into actionable parenting strategies.
Parent of Grown Children: I’ve lived the stages I teach, from the infant and toddler years through the “launching” of young adults.
Founder of soccermomphd.com: A community resource dedicated to science-backed, child-first parenting.
Why "SoccerMomPhD"?
At first glance, "Soccer Mom" and "PhD" might feel like they belong in different worlds. But to me, they're the perfect team. The "Soccer Mom" is the modern, active parent showing up for all the "games" of life — at home, on a field, in a classroom, or at a recital. The "PhD" is the grounding force: two decades of study that keep the advice here evidence-based and effective.